Roasted Veggies

Food Trends: Chicken and Waffles Ice Cream, Matcha Martinis, and Perfectly Roasted Veggies

The food and drink industry is always evolving, and there are some exciting new trends emerging every week!

Chick’n and Waffles Ice Cream?

One of the latest food trends is the introduction of chicken and waffles ice cream by Baskin-Robbins. This unique flavour combines the delicious taste of buttermilk waffles with crispy chick’n pieces and a bourbon-maple syrup swirl. Although it may seem like an unconventional combination, it's definitely worth a try.


Step aside Espresso martini

Another new trend in the drink industry is the matcha martini. This bright green cocktail has been gaining popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and there are various ways to make it. Most recipes include vodka and matcha powder, but some add vanilla syrup, heavy cream, white chocolate liqueur, or even rum or tequila blanco. This drink is the perfect choice for those who want a more subtle energy boost.

a round bowl on tip of a wood surface filled with quartered roasted potatoes topped with a few leaves of fresh rosemary

How to make the most perfect roasted veggies!

If you're looking for a new recipe to try in the kitchen, consider making roasted veggies. However, for the perfect crispy edges and sweet caramelization, it's best to roast them on an unlined sheet pan. This allows the veggies to brown and crisp faster than they would on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Let’s break this down: would you line your cast-iron skillet with foil or parchment before trying to sear a steak? You wouldn't, because it's the contact of the meat against the hot pan that creates caramelization. Roasting vegetables on an unlined sheet pan works the same way. The vegetables brown and crisp faster than a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Yes, the parchment helps with clean up but it also inhibits browning and evaporation which means the veggies are more wet than roasted.






have you tried microwave mashed potatoes?

an illustration of a microwave

Another quick and easy recipe to try is microwave mashed potatoes. This method involves microwaving peeled potato chunks in a covered bowl until they are fork-tender, then mashing them with warm creme Fraîche, butter, garlic, chives, salt, and pepper.

Recipe

Microwave Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup Creme Fraiche
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder
Sprinkle of chopped fresh chives
Koser salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse the peeled potato chunks and put them in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and cut a small vent in the top for steam to escape.

  • Microwave on high for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.

  • Using oven mitts or kitchen towel, carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. If necessary, transfer to a larger bowl for mashing.

  • In a microwave save measuring cup add the creme Fraîche, butter and warm in the microwave until the butter is melted, from 30 to 50 seconds.

  • Add 1/4 of the warm creme fraiche mixture to the hot potatoes and mash with a hand masher. Add more of the remaining creme Fraîche and butter as needed until smooth and creamy. Add garlic, chives, salt and pepper to taste, and mix well.

In conclusion, there are many exciting new trends emerging in the food and drink industry every week. Whether it's trying a unique ice cream flavour, experimenting with a new cocktail, or testing out a different cooking technique, there's always something new and delicious to discover.

Want more of Kitchen Confession? Listen to the Kitchen Confession Podcast! New epoisdes drop every two weeks. You can find the Kitchen Confession Podcast on any podcast player. Happy Snacking!

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Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash

Just when I thought I had finished cooking for the day this little beauty caught my eye and I just had to bake it up. Perfect addition to any meal and it’s the easiest recipe around.

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ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 acorn squash, washed

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • Salt and pepper to taste

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INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F * Cut the squash in half, using a spoon scrape out the insides, and slice into 1/2" half moons.

  2. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. * Lay the squash out on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until fork tender and golden in colour.


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Recipe: Roasted Italian Sausage & Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner

Have you heard of sheet pan dinners? If you haven’t, make this Roasted Italian Sausage & Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner be your introduction. Tossing everything onto one pan is literally the easiest way to make dinner. Not only are they easy to make, it makes clean up a breeze. Spoiler Alert! I’ve added a special ingredient for a hint of sunshine in this cozy dish. Can you guess what it could be?

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 Roasted Italian Sausage & Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner

This is one of my favourite meals and a great addition to meal prep days. It’s quick, easy and it fits all in one sheet pan making it perfect for busy weeknights!

 PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 30 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes
SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS 

  • 4 links Italian sausages, cut into 2" pieces (you can substitute for chicken sausage)

  • 1 pound brussels sprouts, halved

  • 1 pound mini potatoes, cut into quarters

  • 2 medium size carrots, peeled and cut into 2” pieces

  • 1 large parsnip, peeled and cut into 2” pieces

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin oil

  • zest of 1 lemon

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Toss the sausage, sprouts, carrots, and parsnips on the baking sheet and set aside.

  2. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over the sausage and veggie mixture. Toss to combine.

  3. Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, then use a spoon to gently mix the sausage mixture and bake for another 15 minutes or until veggies are tender.

 

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Recipe: Breakfast Hash in 30 Minutes!

I thought I would bring you a little BREAKFAST HASH on this gorgeous sunny morning. Not only does it taste fantastic, this nutrient packed meal clocks in at 30 minutes total cook time! Oh YAAAASSSSSSS! AND don’t forget to include this simple and easy meal to your weekly meal prep recipe box. This recipe should take centre stage on every brunch table, and serve it directly from the baking sheet - family style. Honestly, this quick and simple meal will tantalize your tastebuds, warm your belly, and have you dancing all the way to the kitchen sink when you're done. It's THAT GOOD! 

This dish surpassed all EGG-spectations!  I'm curious, do you hate or love eggs? Sunny side up or scrambled? Comment below and let me know what makes you egg-static about eggs. You all know how much I love a good pun :) 

Photo Description: 1 Pan dinner-large rimmed baking sheet filled with diced sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, broccoli florets, sweet corn, black beans and 6 single sunny side up eggs baked on top of the veggies

Photo Description: 1 Pan dinner-large rimmed baking sheet filled with diced sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, broccoli florets, sweet corn, black beans and 6 single sunny side up eggs baked on top of the veggies

Breakfast Hash

PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 25 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes
SERVES: 3 large or 6 small
AUTHOR: Mary Mammoliti / Kitchen Confession

INGREDIENTS

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (Read Tips below for size)
1 head of broccoli, florets
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn kernels
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive Oil, to coat the sheet pan
6 large eggs

DIRECTIONS

  • Adjust your oven rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. With a little olive oil lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet.

  • Place the sweet potatoes, broccoli florets, bell pepper, black beans, and corn in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Add the 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper and gently toss to combine.

  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes stirring halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are tender. Remove the pan from the oven and create 6 wells in the vegetables. Gently crack an egg into each well, keeping the yolk intact; season the eggs with salt and pepper.

  • Return the pan to the oven and bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until the egg whites have set.

  • Enjoy!

TIPS: 

You can enjoy this dish immediately or portion it out into your to-go containers and pack it up and you have breakfast for the week. 

When chopping your veggies, try and cut them to bite size pieces and keep them roughly the same size to ensure even cooking throughout your dish. 

To make this dish even easier, buy pre-cut vegetables from you local grocery store and cut back even more on your prep time.

The olive oil can be substituted out for avocado oil or grape seed oil if you prefer. 

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days.

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Recipe: Quinoa Roasted Veggie Salad

Recipe: Quinoa Roasted Veggie Salad

I’m a huge believer that we really shouldn't eat ingredients we can’t pronounce……EXCEPT QUINOA. You should definitely eat quinoa. 

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